Ranking Records: Prefab Sprout

[@stevekeller4674]

Prefab Sprout is embedded in my DNA. Thank you for turning others on to their music.

[@davidwalters8832]

Great work Mike. Bonny is my favourite PS song followed by Wild Horses and We let the Stars Go. I had the pleasure of seeing the Sprouts 3 times. Twice in Liverpool but first at the Sheffield Uni Freshers ball in 84. No one there but maybe 50 of us and my mate made Wendy blush

[@bernardobuffa2391]

Sound of crying is one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard.

[@waynegoucher4503]

Prefab Sprout - Beautifully crafted, intelligent pop music!! Steve McQueen is glorious and one of the finest albums of its genre ... Ever!!!!

[@3ld919]

Give "I trawl the Megahertz" a good listen. Yes, it is very, very different from what you are used to when listening to PFS, but it is brilliant

[@derekallen5219]

Could not agree more. Just stumbled upon it after having been a casual fan through the years and this is a masterpiece

[@JoseGarnelo]

magical record, indeed

[@terrymann1341]

I love this album, a real headphones immersive listen.....

[@danfango1333]

Good taste Sir. Steve McQueen is something else. My other favourite album is Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole ⭐

[@wpronk]

My ranking: 10- I Trawl The Megahertz 09- The Gunman And Other Stories 08- Crimson / Red 07 - Protest Songs 06 - Let's Change The World With Music 05 - Jordan: The Comeback 04 - From Langley Park To Memphis 03 - Steve McQueen 02 - Andromeda Heights 01 - Swoon

[@Emnor1993]

funny, for me I trawl and Swoon are at the top. Even though Steve Mcqueen might be a stronger record as a whole than I trawl, but those two just have a special place in my heart.

[@markdawson-smith1950]

Absolutely agree 'From Langley Park to Memphis' as the best album of 1988. Loved this to bits and still listen to it 35 years later!

[@monroeboy80]

Two words for Prefab Sprout: Brilliant Songwriting. Paddy is such an underrated songwriter, one of the best of his generation. Thanks for this video

[@Project5am]

1985 was one the best years for albums Prince around the world in a day Kate Bush Hounds of Love Cupid & Psyche 85 Scritti Politti A Secret Wish Propaganda Steve McQueen I would put right up there with those classics

[@bedmac2]

Big thumbs up from me for both Kate Bush and Propaganda. Kate's best album IMO and Propaganda's only one (with Claudia and Susan).

[@terrificfriend]

You have wonderful taste

[@peterbockholm3176]

Crimson/Red is my favorite, it's hugely underrated. Probably because it at first sounds like easy listening, but everything that's typical for Paddy is there if you peel the layers. It's also his by far most personal album. Crimson/Red refers to his tinnitus, when it was at its worst he started wearing clothes in vivid colors, often red. That amused him and helped him not to become too introspective. The Songs of Danny Galway is about him meeting someone that he has admired for many many years. Adolescence is about youth and that's the only song where the title of the album occurs. " Adolescence crimson/red. Fireworks inside your head, are three times brighter than the sun " The fireworks and the pain in his head from the illness to his inner ears. The Old Magician is about an artist that realizes that he has to come to terms with him not being as good as he used to be. A totally wrong self reflection. And if you take into consideration that the album is a haste work it becomes amazing. Paddy owed the record company one album so he made it in haste with both new songs and songs from the vault. And he basically made the whole album all by himself. In a Swedish interview he says that he has never stopped writing music. Let's hope that he will open the vault and give us something of all that's already finished, recording new stuff won't happen with him being almost blind and deaf. But whatever happens Paddy McAloon is epic, one of those truly gifted that are quite rare. A interesting interview. www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/05/paddy-mcaloon-prefab-sprout-make-music

[@Paul-lf1bq]

I Trawl The MEGAHERTZ is a beautiful record.

[@bernardbaker6803]

No it's shite. Repetitive bland mush. Feed Paddy streak now (even if veggie!)....

[@henveee]

@@bernardbaker6803 I'd say the two prefab records preceding Megahertz were pretty derivative so his choice to create something different was welcoming for me at least (even if veggie!)...

[@harvey1954]

Paddy is the first truly great songwriter I've heard since the 60s. Genius. Right up there with Lennon and McCartney, Ray Davies, Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, Danny O'keefe, Holland Dozier Holland, etc. The funny thing is that when I heard the first Prefab Sprouts lp I hated it. Only band that had material dispise and other things I adore.

[@thatbartonfinkfeeling9579]

Hi Mike. Thanks for doing this. Mr. McAloon is indeed a rare talent, worth cherishing. "Swoon" has always been my favourite.

[@katherinehubbard826]

Such an underrated band

[@Tonyous]

Back in '85 my keyboardist turned me on to "Steve McQueen". All he had to do was say "...produced by Thomas Dolby" and I was all in! I have, like you Mike, been a rabid fan ever since and I think your summary and your order is spot on! Congrats on not only hitting 1k but as I'm writing this you are sitting on 2.08k subs!

[@bernardobuffa2391]

How important can be for someone a band, their songs made you delight so many times in your life, and you come back to these songs over the decades, you feel bound to this band. It happens to me with some bands, and Prefab Sprout is one of them.

[@sonidosanto]

I must tell you have the edition signed by Paddy himself! I have the common version and it comes with that photo without his signature, that edition was limited, you are lucky! Congratulations for the video, Prefab Sprout is still very underrated and Paddy is one of the best songwriters of his day. Best regards!

[@mbodayle]

Really? I did not know for sure and am super stoked to know.

[@sonidosanto]

@@mbodayle Yeeeeah... I have the same box with the same photo but not signed, that edition came out in Pre-Sale and I missed it at the time! You have this edition (compare the signature with the one that appears here and you will see that they are slightly different!) PS: You're welcome ;) Hehe www.discogs.com/Prefab-Sprout-Crimson-Red/release/9023346

[@mygicshow]

Prefab Sprout is just genius

[@maurotombolini6904]

I recently listened to an interview on the radio of Kim Wilde and she defined the music of PS as “exquisite, a word rarely heard when talking about music”, and I 100% agree with this. Thanks for this great review although I would have ranked Protest songs slightly higher but it’s ok. It’s a great job that you’re spreading the knowledge of this unique band.

[@StonefieldJim4]

It's always interesting to see the contrasting views among PS/McAloon fans regarding rankings. That said, I was surprised to see Jordan at number 3! For me, it's peerless, and easily my number 1. On the other hand, I'm delighted you love Langley so much. To my ears, it's the most undervalued album of the 1980s. The other surprise for me was seeing Crimson/Red ranked so low. Excluding the brilliant, standalone work, Megahertz, I think C/R was McAloon's best pop album for 13 years - that is, the best since Jordan. ✌️

[@nitedreamer23]

Rare is the Yank who refers to the second album as "Steve McQueen". I've said to people that being a Sprout fan in the states is like being part of a secret club--and you're always delighted to discover a new member.

[@davidcopson5800]

Great comment. As an Englishman I have both Steve McQueen and Two Wheels Good (just had to get it). One of the greatest albums of all time. Maybe not to the same degree as you suggest with being a 'Yank' and a Prefab Sprout fan, but here in the UK I'm always delighted to find a fan of Death Cab For Cutie. I heard a busker in my home city once doing one of their songs and gave him a fiver. He was astonished that an old guy like me had heard of the band.

[@pauldavison3882]

I listed my favourite songs instead: 1. Goodbye Lucille #1 2. The Fifth Horseman 3. Jesse James Symphony, Jesse James Bolero 4. Ghost Town Blues 5. Life of Surprises 6. I Never Play Basketball Now 7. Elegance 8. Carnival 2000 9. Technique 10. When Love Breaks Down ...and Swoon and Jordan are their best albums!

[@mbodayle]

I love it!

[@df3575]

I like this idea

[@nitedreamer23]

Great list! I'd have "Lions in My Own Garden" in there somewhere, but picking ten would be too hard!

[@chrisreber2516]

Excellent video Mike! Prefab is in my top 3 bands of all time, the other 2 being Genesis (especially original with Gabriel), and Everything But The Girl. Trying to rate their albums is like trying to say which of your kids you love the most🤔 Absolutly the most underrated band -- maybe of All Time!! I first heard them on a little station in Bethesda, Maryland - WHFS, in 1987 or 88, they played King of Rock and Roll & Cars and Girls a lot. Then l got Two Wheels Good , possibly the best album of the 80's, in my opinion. I smoked a ton of pot back then and had a remarkable experience on the psychedelics listening to TWG -- it passed the "acid test" with flying colors!! That was 1996, and I've since gotten clean and sober, and my love for their music continues. Talk about a class act!!! God bless -- "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him" -- AMEN!!!

[@mbodayle]

Awesome - thanks for sharing Chris.

[@jeremyb5640]

To fully appreciate 'I Trawl the Megahertz' you need to understand the back story. Paddy was confined to bed, unable to see after eye surgery following two detached retinas. The music is deeply moving and the spoken word track beautifully captures his sense if isolation. A gorgeous combination of music and poetry. 'Crimson / Red' was largely an original record, 'Let's Save The World With Music' does date back to an abandoned nineties project. 'Crimson / Red' is full of perfect pop songs and some fantastic lyrics. 'The Songs of Danny Galway', a tribute to songwriter Jimmy Webb, sums up perfectly how music can touch you and why your favourite artist means so much. 'Cowboy Dreams' was the theme tune that Paddy wrote for a BBC drama about a country singer played by Jimmy Nail, who sings the song on the show. On that album he reclaims the song for himself.

[@mbodayle]

Awesome. Thanks for the fantastic info.

[@tomdac]

Love Prefab Sprout and I think you nailed the list! Well done!

[@wolfganggopnik8357]

Good job Mike !!! I'm your new fan. I love The Sprouts too. My number one of Sprouts dischography is JORDAN:THE COMEBACK, and my favorite song LET THE STARS GO FREE. See you!!!

[@GaryStockton]

Trawl The Megahertz was conceived after Paddy's eye surgery to repair a detached retina. I agree with your ranking, Two Wheels Good is a fantastic record. I heard Seal playing "Bonny" live at a gig here recently. Such a talented songwriter and vocalist, has such a beautiful voice.

[@jameswade8970]

I can't recall if Two Wheels Good or from Langley Park to Memphis was the first Prefab Sprout album I acquired, but definitely two of the best albums of the 80s and made me an instant and lifelong fan. Had never heard pop music done in quite that way, with such intelligent, soulful lyrics that seemed to speak directly to my mid-20s self.

[@darlostag]

Thanks, Mike, this was great fun to listen to. I was thrilled when "Let's Change The World With Music" came out. It had been such a long time since Paddy / Prefab Sprout had released a record and, although it didn't match their earlier work, it still had some great songs, particularly the title track. I love "Andromeda Heights", especially "Steal Your Thunder" (Prefab Sprout don't often do simple love songs but this is great). My top 3 albums are the same as yours but not quite in the same order. I think that, it you asked me which my favourite tracks were, "Appetite", "When Love Breaks Down" and "Bonnie" would be very near the top of my list. But, the album that I would most like to sit down and listen to is "Jordan". There are some short songs on there, particularly on the second disc, that on their own aren't classics. But put them all together and, to my ears, this is the perfect album. The album starts quite poppy and finishes with two songs - "One of the Broken" and "Doo Wop in Harlem" - that are achingly beautiful. I just love this album. Here's hoping to more albums.

[@mbodayle]

YES! I'm ready for the Paddy vaults to open again. Thanks for commenting.

[@ste.6026]

Firstly there is much to like about all the albums and between my top five there really is not a lot in it... Paddy is certainly one of my favourite singer/songwriters from the latter half of the 20th century, Lloyd Cole, Neil Finn, Justin Currie (Del Amitri), Morrissey & Robert Smith I also rate highly... My top 10... 10- I Trawl The Megahertz 09- Crimson / Red 08- Let's Change The World With Music 07 - Protest Songs 06 - Swoon 05 - The Gunman And Other Stories 04 - From Langley Park To Memphis 03 - Steve McQueen 02 - Andromeda Heights 01 - Jordan: The Comeback

[@PanicBeach]

My Top 5 would be 5 Swoon 4 Jordan: The Comeback 3 Let's Change The World With Music 2 From Langley Park to Memphis 1 Steve McQueen

[@sonidosanto]

Here´s my Top list: 10- I Trawl The Megahertz 09- The Gunman And Other Stories 08- Crimson / Red 07- Swoon 06- Andromeda Heights 05- Protest Songs 04- Let's Change The World With Music 03- From Langley Park To Memphis 02- Jordan: The Comeback 01- Steve McQueen

[@df3575]

Good one here. 👍🏿

[@ashrobinson4604]

Great pop band and virtually unknown in North America, definitely underrated! #5 Jordan the Comeback; #4 From Langley Park; #3 Protest Songs; #2 Two Wheels Good; #1 Swoon.

[@markhall5656]

best song smith ever

[@mariflame1821]

True, Im in the US and just recently discovered their music and love it.

[@ronaldboonstra4834]

Yes, one of my fav all time bands for sure!

[@terrymann1341]

I love this band. I remember listening to them and making a mix tape comprising of Prefab Sprout, Dream Academy, Aztec Camera and All About Eve. Bands I was listening to quite a lot at the time in the mid eighties, then there was a mix tape I did of all the Paisley Underground Bands like The Bangles, Rain Parade, The Three O'Clock and Dream Syndicate. Great bands all and some very happy memories of a time long passed, before this world lost the plot. I always thought that Paddy Mcaloon would be a perfect songwriting partner for Paul McCartney those two would've come up with some very interesting material I'm sure.... Thank you for this video Mike, really enjoyed your rankings of these great records....

[@mbodayle]

You are most welcome!

[@oOoBubblesoOo0]

Its impossible to rank the Sprout albums. They are all albums made in heaven🌃

[@minsterhill]

Love it thanks Mike more of this series please!

[@Gothic55]

Great vlog - Prefab Are right up there with the Beatles. I have a great t-shirt with logo - “Every hour someone is NOT buying a Prefab Sprout record”..I am glad that you rate Gun man so high - this is the only prefab album that has not been re- released on vinyl. Paddy gave some of the songs from this album to fellow Geordie - Jimmy nail to sing - check it out.

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

I love Prefab Sprout and I pretty much agree with your rankings.

[@stumm71]

Thank you for this excellent video.For me the best album of PS is Jordan The Come Comeback, Regards from Argentina.

[@raiphdude7]

I feel the same way, dead -on appreciations. I have some more of these to get!

[@darenreynolds8824]

I love how we all have a piece of prefab sprout in us , when actually , they have us all , by the heart strings of course …

[@ronnieneeley5393]

Wonderful video, Mike! I completely agree with your ranking, except I'd personally put Jordan: The Comeback at #1. However I totally agree with your criticism of the album-- it is definitely front heavy, however I feel like without all the filler it wouldn't be as ambitious and as conceptually interesting of a record... a double edged sword!

[@mbodayle]

Thanks!

[@Gelsyviolet]

Meravigliosi e geniali Sprefab Sprout. Amore assoluto per Paddy.

[@bedmac2]

As someone who is well-familiar with their entire catalog, I don't have much quibble with your rankings. I certainly think you got the top 3 right (as long as Steve McQueen is at the top)! Maybe Protest Songs could have been a bit higher...but that's about it. A couple comments: Although you reference Paddy's Christianity, and a few songs have explicit religious references and themes, a prospective listener shouldn't think that this is some sort of "Christian Pop" band. Also, when encountering Steve McQueen for the first time, Faron Young - the opening track - can throw one off as to where the album goes, (the track "Bonny" is the one Sprout fans routinely pick as the best of all). Similarly, "The King of Rock and Roll" off Langley is something of an outlier. As (IIRC) Sir Paul said to Paddy something like: "That's your 'My Ding-a-ling'"... its goofy nature can throw one off from the rest of the album. Finally, an album of their pre-Swoon releases and B-sides would be an easy call for me and easy to do for them. Not sure why they don't do it. And yeah I suspect you are SOL on seeing them live. Even if Paddy deigned to do it it would probably be one or two nights and done. I flew from California to Great Britain to see them for four shows in 1990 for the Jordan Tour; such are the benefits of being an early adopter! (Funny, in 2018 I made my second trip to the UK to see a band, Propaganda, playing their album "A Secret Wish" in its entirety for the first time...another 1985 album! Now if only Dubstar will do some shows I'd be on a plane in a flash.)

[@mbodayle]

So nice to hear from you. Great comments. Had we not have had a 1-year old in 1990, we might have met at those shows. At least he grew up tp be a Prefab fan!

[@bedmac2]

@@mbodayle The funny thing is, I listened to the Sprouts so much I almost never listen to them anymore! The thing is, there is always good music coming out. My current faves are: Courtney Barnett, Tame Impala, and Hazel English...oddly all from Australia though Hazel is living here in LA now. The first two are fairly well known now; Hazel doesn't have the recognition yet. (And if you want a weird one that my daughter turned me on to: The HU. They play...wait for it...Mongolian folk metal, throat singing and all. But damn it really works and is very listenable. Check out their fantastic album (and opening track with the same name) "The Gereg.") Since I don't use any of the streaming services, one "algorithm" I use to find new music is to ask people (with obvious great taste in music). So what current bands do you like right now? Thanks in advance!

[@mbodayle]

@@bedmac2 I am just terrible th elast few years about listening to new music. Instead I find myself bying older things that I have passed on over the years. Today I just bought the debut LP by The Remains. I did like the latest from Madison Cunningham and saw Tame Impala last time I was in London.

[@bedmac2]

@@mbodayle No worries. Not being familiar with either The Remains or Madison Cunningham I checked them out...both sound good to me! Thanks!

[@bedmac2]

@@mbodayle For what it is worth, here is the gateway drug to Courtney Barnett. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJTRepuwlqmHmpI

[@davidcopson5800]

This was very engaging. I have been a fan since 1985 and have seen the band three times. Your ranking isn't bad at all, though I wouldn't put Protest Songs as low and I certainly wouldn't put The Gunman above Swoon. Steve McQueen has to be No1 but Jordan has to be No 2 before Langley Park. One thing I wish for is that the label (probably Kitchenware) would put out an album of their B sides, which are so quirky and brilliant. Great video, well done. I have never been to America and therefore I have never sang doo-wop in Harlem.

[@df3575]

The top 3 are just without a doubt. Classics, all three. Jordan is stronger in the 2nd half than you think, in my view. Great idea here. Enjoyed the impetus to go back to some of these.

[@cyrilensbey3945]

Love this band

[@assimptotico]

Nothing like Swoon! Wonderful

[@xebio6]

Yes! Jordan, Langley, McQueen are all amazing. The Dolby trilogy should be explored by any lover of high pop

[@shawnweaver7797]

A Great Ranking!!

[@joncoutts1330]

I pretty much agree with your ranking except Protest Songs is the album I'd put higher. Each album has stand out songs like you pointed out. But what a great band with sophisticated chord changes and lyrics. I truly hope Paddy keeps making music despite everything.

[@scottandjody]

Nice video Mike! I probably would have ranked the albums similarly. Maybe would have put Andromeda ahead the Gunman but, that's it.

[@henveee]

10. The Gunman & Other Stories 9. Andromeda Heights 8. Swoon 7. Let's Change the World with Music 6. Crimson / Red 5. Protest Songs 4. I Trawl the Megahertz 3. Steve Mcqueen 2. From Langley Park to Memphis 1. Jordan: The Comeback

[@mariflame1821]

I recently discovered Prefab Sprout and was lucky to find their "38 Carat Collection" CD... love their music!

[@geoffcarter593]

Like you MCM Prefab Sprout and Paddy are one of my favourite groups. Our rankings differ somewhat but hey, music is very subjective. And it’s hard to rank such a great collection of music - it’s like picking your favourite child. So here’s my rankings (this week - subject to change with my mood changes): 1 Steve McQueen (easy choice) 2 Crimson/Red (can’t believe this was low on your list) 3 Swoon 4 Lets Change the World with Music (ditto above) 5 From Langley Park to Memphis 6 Jordan the Comeback 7 Andromeda Heights 8 The Gunman and Other Stories 9 Protest Songs 10 I Trawl the Megahertz

[@chphtsn]

My favorite band for more than 40 years now….

[@vladimirvaldivia8789]

best pop group ever, My first time was with Steve McQueen, thanks for the ranking

[@davidcopson5800]

"My first time was with Steve McQueen". I wonder how many women have said that?!

[@zwischenzugblues7462]

Thanks Mike! Good list, I agree Steve McQueen must be no. 1 but so many great pop songs across their catalogue.

[@WDH59510]

Your assessment was extremely interesting (I've been a PS fan for over 30 years and even met the band after a concert in Belgium) ! i'm not sure I'd have placed The Gunman so highly in my table but hey it's all about opinions. My list ? Steve / Jordan / swoon / langley park / protest songs / let’s change / andromeda / crimson red / the gunman / I trawl Those of you still to give PS a listen - please make that effort and give your ears a treat !

[@stefanrobijn2655]

If there would be only one album I had to choose to listen to, for the rest of my days it would be "swoon". Everything they did after this was good or even great, but this is the original. These are the roots.

[@gmo4250]

Steve McQueen, totally agree and as you said get the acoustic version as well. The Best Jewel Thief in the World is a cracking tune, but I wish they hadn't added that siren. A couple of other sprout related things that I think are worth a listen, LYR - Winter Solstice and Paddy singing Witchita Lineman.

[@M2Mil7er]

I rate everything from LIMOGES / Swoon to Jordan the Comeback very highly, but I think Swoon takes my top spot. I love the raw, angular, post punk quirkiness of it, combined with the rich harmony and jazzy touches. Incredible bass playing by Paddy's brother, Martin too. 1. Swoon 2. Steve McQueen 3. Protest Songs = Jordan 4. From Langley Park to Memphis.

[@siralfredramsey]

Thank you for this interesting ranking! I'm from Hamburg, Germany. Prefab Sprout came to me in 1984 on a northern germany radio show called "Musik für junge Leute". "Cruel“, amazed me at first, then I fell in love with "Swoon". - What I find unfortunate about "From Langley Park To Memphis" is that the album was produced by Thomas Dolby. It doesn't sound timeless at all, but mercilessly like 80s commercial radio used to prefer hits. Thomas Dolby had the worst keyboard sounds at the start that which the band shouldn't have deserved. "Eurotrash" pre-set(?). What a pity, most of the songs are undeniably wonderfully composed. Should a good fairy give me three wishes at some point, then I would like "From Langley Park To Memphis" transformed to the sound of the "Steve McQueen" - album, if you please. - One more thing: "Jordan-The Comeback" is quite weak to my ears as it's too routined. Too little friction and pushing for quality.

[@wbbooth]

Wild Horses from Jordan the Comeback is unbelievably good

[@rudymoerloos4725]

It's hard to make a top 10 of prefab sprout, because they're all so great. Paddy is a great songwriter and so underrated. If i have to make a choice probably jordan the come back is my favorite.

[@Lord_Heron]

Swoon is my favourite, it's a masterpiece, also really like 'Jordan' a lot.

[@georgeplith]

great band. i've seen a few people put "i trawl the megahertz" at the bottom of their lists, i'd say it's one of greatest works of the century (especially that first track). slightly confusing desision on the part of paddy/sony/whoever to put prefab sprout's name on the reissue. makes more sense to keep paddy mcaloon on the cover, seeing as how profoundly personal the album is. if you haven't yet listened to it, definitely try to read up a little about the context of the recording before going in. intriguing stuff. on prefab sprout however, it's a lot of fun to go through their discography chronologically. release by release, it seems their sound never really stopped evolving. for me though, swoon stands out as their greatest achievement. while it undoubtedly lacks the thematic consistency of some of their later stuff, it more than makes up for it with the sheer quality of each individual song.

[@essential_listening]

I must admit, I prefer Swoon to Jordan and even Langley Park. In my opinion, the top 3 are Langley Park, Swoon, and then the obvious Steve McQueen

[@zirkvandenberg7776]

1 Jordan. 2 Langley Park. 3 Steve McQueen. 4. Andromeda. These are the top tier, I reckon. Love the others to varying degrees.

[@ColinPeterikMusic]

You did an awesome job! However, Jordan The Comeback is #1 :)

[@garbarek1078]

If I was to pick one song from each album it would be Technique from Swoon, Bonny from Steve McQueen, Nightingales from Langley park to Memphis, the world awake from protest songs, the ice maiden from Jordan: the comeback, the fifth horseman from Andromeda heights, wild card in the pack from Gunman and other stories and music is a princess from let's change the world with music. Megahertz and crimson red are essentially paddy solo albums, the former released as a paddy solo album before being rereleased under the sprout moniker. I would go for the title track on megahertz and Billy I think on crimson red.

[@deltahigh1839]

Totally agree with the numbers 1 and 2, I’d have Swoon at 3 tho’

[@spookydirt]

as a young man, Paddy trained to be a priest, so yes I'd guess he's religious. I'm glad he gave that career up. also, his brother Martin (the bass player) is touring the music of Prefab Sprout at the moment. I think just UK.

[@seanyboyoc]

You posted a great video there. Thank you. You have to listen to Kylie Minogue's version of 'If You Don't Love Me'. It's a classic creation by Paddy.

[@SEANBANOG4]

Stand Fast Brother!!

[@jrex3575]

I have the Steve McQueen album and have it on rotation! ooooooohhhh Johnny Johnny Johnny!!!

[@marcoquinonez352]

All I can say is that any Prefab Sprout album is #1 on my list! (That’s just my $0.02, plus any applicable taxes 😉

[@perselander8763]

From Langley Park is my Number One.

[@stuarteggleston1859]

Andromeda Heights is my no. 1

[@robertmas320]

From Langley park to Memphis is a great album.

[@bluntlaser]

Pretty sure the signed photos were proper autographs. The signature is different on the photo on Discogs

[@DCToonTime]

Your rankings are exactly the same as mine except I would put Andromeda Heights in front of Swoon.

[@kaibomo]

I love this band so much! I recently uploaded one of their rare B-sides on my channel, it was on KZbin before but it was the wrong RPM. Check it out! A lot more experimental than a lot of their stuff.

[@jeanettedevereux7664]

Cars n girls King of rock and roll Many more

[@bulliboyz]

Spike Lee and his brother are big fans too

[@neoeyebeleave]

Great list! However, "Jordan" is MILES ahead of "Langley Park To Memphis".

[@harvey1954]

I Trawl the Meghertz is the Song Cycles of the 21st century.

[@manuxuser]

how can you make a rank based on a compilation ???

[@davidcopson5800]

He didn't. He just mentioned them at the start as a way in for new fans.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Steve McQueen is clearly the best. Swoon is a bit forced and I always felt Protest Songs was like a load of demos. Langley Park is very good too but almost overproduced. Jordan is too long but has some great songs on it.

[@jasonm.8174]

Side 2 of Jordan is awesome and this makes me sad

[@quiquebuxeda6044]

Te falta uno

[@ruffian1868]

For me, Prefab Sprout were always a 4 piece band. The Paddy solo albums whilst great miss the input and sound of Martin, Wendy and Neil. Just me :)

[@la7dfa]

Might also have to do with when they/he made the music. Imo he peaked in the 80's, and for many composers its a mix of getting some experience and initial creativity.

[@Ruirspirul]

yes, but but… Protest Songs is one of their best albums, followed by Jordan 😅

[@chrisreber2516]

What was l thinking?, Steely Dan is right in there with one of the greatest bands ever, even if their name is from a disgusting reference!

[@peterhaslund]

Terrible ranking

[@mbodayle]

Show me yours!

[@deepfocus888]

The You Show, Show brought me here.

[@davidcopson5800]

@peterhaslund: This is not a terrible ranking. I don't agree 100% with it but it is not terrible. We're still waiting for your definitive selection.